Barcelona are reportedly set to make Clement Lenglet their first signing of the summer, with the defender informing Sevilla of his decision to leave.
According to a report by Spanish publication Sport, Clement Lenglet has informed Sevilla manager Pablo Machin and director of football Joaquin Caparros of his decision to leave the club. The Frenchman is on his way to Barcelona, who are set to make him their first signing of the summer transfer window.
Lenglet has been a revelation since joining Sevilla from Nancy in a €5 million deal in January last year. Over the last 18 months, the player has made steady progress with the Andalusian club, and was one of the standouts in a rather disappointing season for Los Nervionenses.
But, his association with Sevilla looks set to come to an end after just one-and-a-half years. Throughout the summer, Lenglet has been linked with a move away from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, with Manchester United and Real Madrid among his suitors. However, Barcelona appear to be his next destination.
The Blaugrana hold a long-standing interest in the 23-year-old, having also made attempts to sign him last summer. This summer though, Barcelona have been resolute in landing Lenglet, with manager Ernesto Valverde seeming to create a core group of young players who can serve the club for the better part of the next decade.
At the heart of defence, there certainly is a need to make reinforcements. Gerard Pique is on the wrong side of 30 while Thomas Vermaelen is only seen as a backup option, while Marlon Santos is set to be sold this summer. Yerry Mina is a long-term option, but the Colombian is taking time to settle at Camp Nou, leaving Barcelona in an urgent need to sign a top class centre-back this summer.
Lenglet is, thus, a viable target for Barcelona, who will have plenty of strength in depth upon the arrival of the player. The 23-year-old has now informed Sevilla of his decision to leave as well, ahead of the start of their pre-season training this week, which new manager Pablo Machin finds desirable.
The formalities of the deal are done as well, with Lenglet agreeing personal terms with Barcelona, who will announce his signing and unveil him this week. However, there are conflicting reports as to who has paid his €35 million release clause.
While some have suggested that the player himself has paid his release clause, there are certain reports that claim that Barcelona have shelled out the amount. Irrespective of the party which has paid the amount, Lenglet’s Sevilla’s stint will come to an end this week.
Meanwhile, Nancy are set to receive €3.5 million as training compensation as soon as the transfer is completed. As far as Sevilla are concerned, Duje Caleta-Car looks set to be the replacement for Lenglet, with personal terms reportedly agreed. Lenglet though, looks set to join the big leagues, with his Barcelona deal imminent.
